Education Authority Northern Ireland
Catering Assistant
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Catering Assistant
Catering Assistant
About the Role
Job Title: Catering Assistant
Reports To: Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor
Responsible To: Catering Manager through appropriate Area Catering Manager
Job Purpose
To actively participate in the daily operation of the Catering Unit under the direction of the Senior/Unit Catering Supervisor. Team participation is essential to provide an efficient, hygienic service, to achieve customer satisfaction and to promote sales within the unit.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Basic preparation of food and beverages, including the preparation of vegetables and snacks using appropriate equipment.
- Simple cooking, including the reconstitution of prepared food.
- Organising and controlling food service points.
- Transferring and serving meals and snacks, including transported meals.
- Assisting with the promotion of meals to pupils, parents and principal.
- Maintaining regular contact with the central kitchen (if applicable) regarding all service delivery aspects.
- Preparing the dining area:
- Setting out dining room tables, chairs, benches, and serving points as required.
- Setting tables, laying out cutlery, water jugs, etc.
- Completing general kitchen and dining room duties:
- Washing up
- Clearing away equipment (e.g., tables, chairs, benches*)
- Cleaning the kitchen, serviry, dining room, and equipment (including floors and walls*).
- Recording temperatures for control purposes as required.
- Securing premises as needed.
- Completing any duties delegated in connection with service provision.
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Compliance & Administration
Must carry out duties in accordance with:
- Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, and Regulations (other legal requirements)
- Codes of Practice Must complete all necessary administration and working conditions inherent to the role.
Diversity & Policy Mandate
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to:
- Promote good relations
- Provide equal opportunity
- Adhere to equality legislation.
Note: Where school premises are used for both food consumption and educational activities, non-catering staff manage room cleaning.
This job description is a guidance guide subject to review based on evolving circumstances.
Person Specification
NOTES TO APPLICANTS
Must clearly demonstrate how and to what extent you meet the required criteria in the application—failure to do so may result in exclusion from shortlisting.
SECTION 1 – Shortlisting Stage
Willingness to undertake job-related training
- Method: Assessed via Application Form
SECTION 2 – Interview Stage
Essential Skills & Attributes
1. Communication & Teamwork
- Criteria: Effective communication to support teamwork and customer engagement; strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Method: Assessed via Interview.
2. Organisation & Performance Under Pressure
- Criteria: Ability to plan efficiently and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Method: Assessed via Interview.
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3. Commitment to Customer Service
- Criteria: Motivation to deliver excellent food and customer service to children and young adults.
- Method: Assessed via Interview.
4. Values & School Ethos Alignment
- Criteria: Demonstrated commitment to aligning personal and professional behaviour with EA’s values.
- Link: Values outlined here.
- Method: Assessed via Interview.
SECTION 3 – Desirable (Shortlisting Adjustment Applies if Necessary)
Experience in Customer Service or Catering Roles
- Method: Assessed via Application Form
Utility & Data Handling Requirements
The selected candidate will be required to be Direct Work with Childrenaturative under the [Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.**
As such, the Education Authority may undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background, incursional costs on the candidate.
- Payment details sent post-recommendation.
- For more info: NI Direct **| Northern Ireland Dept of Justice.
Additional Resources
- Full summary of terms and conditions available here.*
- Guided applicant notes.
- Learn about EA’s benefits & opportunities here.
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